A torpedo powered by a lithium-ion battery breaks speed records in complete safety

: Posted On Monday, 10 February 2014 17:32

Naval Technology - Li Ion Torpedo Battery

A torpedo powered by a lithium-ion battery breaks speed records in complete safety

Early in 2013, the first sea firings of a torpedo fitted with a Li-ion battery were completed successfully: propelled completely safely at more than 50 knots, the torpedo also benefits from an endurance that can exceed one hour. It took ten years of studies, research and testing for the DCNS Saint-Tropez personnel specialised in undersea weapons, in collaboration with electrochemists from Saft*, to give practical form to this new product.

Torpedo's Li-ion battery
Picture: DCNS

Li-ion technology is capable of supplying the high electrical power level needed to propel a torpedo, and allows battery recharging. Thanks to this technology, DCNS now has a product meeting the operational performance criteria required by navies, but also the robustness and safety criteria indispensable for embarkation on onboard submarines. This world premiere illustrates the determination of DCNS to provide navies with a suitable answer to their anti-submarine warfare training needs.

The rechargeable lithium-ion battery offers a real alternative to the silver oxide-zinc technology used for 50 years in exercise torpedoes. Proven but obsolescent, this old technology no longer provides performance matching that of new-generation combat torpedoes, making training too unrealistic.

* World leader in the design and manufacture of high-technology electrochemical stacks for industry and defence.